This guide will provide you with valuable insights on how to use cell phone in Tunisia, including network providers, SIM card options, roaming costs, and local etiquette.
Ooredoo Tunisia SIM cards & eSIMs: What you need to know
Ooredoo is Tunisia’s largest mobile network, serving between 6.4 and 7.5 million subscribers, more than either Orange or Tunisie Telecom. This guide provides verified details on Ooredoo Tunisia SIM cards and eSIMs, network coverage, actual SIM costs, and purchasing options for visitors.
In this article
Is Ooredoo a Good Choice for Your Trip to Tunisia?
Yes, Ooredoo is the top recommendation for most tourists. It offers the strongest overall network experience and extensive coverage across main tourist regions, including Tunis, Sousse, Sfax, Hammamet, Monastir, Nabeul, and Djerba.
Operating since 2002 (formerly as Tunisiana), Ooredoo is part of the global Ooredoo Group and runs its own nationwide network. While excellent along the coast and in major cities, signal strength thins out in the far southern desert and deep Sahara regions compared to coastal areas.

While excellent along the coast and in major cities, Ooredoo’s signal strength thins out in the far southern desert and deep Sahara regions compared to coastal areas, according to nperf. If your trip is limited to Tunis, the coast, and Djerba, Ooredoo’s coverage is not something you need to worry about.
How Does Ooredoo Compare to Orange and Tunisie Telecom?
According to Opensignal’s September 2025 Tunisia Mobile Network Experience Report, Ooredoo ranks as the best overall network, outperforming competitors across almost every category.
| Category | Ooredoo | Orange | Tunisie Telecom |
| Overall Best Network | Winner | Runner-up | Runner-up |
| Download & Upload Speed | Winner | Runner-up | Runner-up |
| Coverage Experience | Winner | Runner-up | Runner-up |
| 5G Coverage & Quality | Winner | Joint Winner | Joint Winner |
| Video & Games Experience | Joint Winner | Joint Winner | Joint Winner |
| Network Availability | Joint Winner | Winner | Joint Winner |
While Ooredoo takes the top spot overall, both competitors have specific strengths:
- Tunisie Telecom remains competitive on 5G metrics, slightly leading in 5G upload speeds and gaming performance, making it is a solid alternative if you plan to travel deep into southern Tunisia.
- Orange excels primarily in overall network availability, keeping you connected consistently across main corridors.
Overall, Ooredoo remains the most reliable default choice for most tourists visiting Tunisia.
Best Ooredoo SIM Plans for Tourists and Costs
The official prepaid SIM designed specifically for tourists is called the Holiday SIM, which costs from 15 to 60 Tunisian Dinar (about $5 to $20 USD). These prepaid SIM card plans vary in data, text, and voice allowances:
- Holiday SIM Pack 15 DT (~$5.20 USD): Includes 3.5 GB of data, 35 local minutes, 10 international minutes, and 15 SMS. Valid for 15 days.
- Holiday SIM Pack 30 DT (~$10.40 USD): Includes 10 GB of data, 60 local minutes, 10 international minutes, and 30 SMS. Valid for 30 days.
- Holiday SIM Pack 40 DT (~$13.00 USD): Includes 25 GB of data, 180 local minutes, 25 international minutes, and 40 SMS. Valid for 30 days.
- Holiday SIM Pack 60 DT (~$20.80 USD): Includes 40 GB of data, 240 local minutes, 40 international minutes, and 50 SMS. Valid for 30 days.
What Do You Need to Buy Ooredoo SIM for Tourists?
By law, every SIM card in Tunisia must be registered to a real person. You have to show your physical passport so they can set it up for you. Because of this rule, you should never buy a SIM card from an unofficial street vendor. If the SIM isn’t properly registered to your passport, the network will simply disconnect it.
Where to Buy an Ooredoo SIM Cards and eSIMs
You can easily pick up an Ooredoo SIM card at Tunisia airports as soon as you land or at an official store in town.
1. Buying at the Airports in Tunisia
Travelers to Tunisia often lands at Tunis-Carthage airport and Monastir airport. There are counters of Ooredoo in each airport.
- Tunis-Carthage Airport: This is the most reliable place to get connected. Ooredoo has a kiosk right in the arrivals area near the baggage claim, right next to Orange. Remember to bring your physical passport for registration and a debit or credit card for payment (airport kiosks usually do not take cash). A basic tourist SIM here costs around 20 dinar (~$6.50 USD).
- Monastir Airport (MIR): Counter openings can be hit-or-miss depending on flight schedules and staff availability. If you are flying into Monastir, it is smart to have a backup plan, such as buying a SIM in town later that day or setting up an eSIM before you board your flight.
2. Buying in the city (Tunis, Sousse, Hammamet, Sfax, and Djerba)
If you prefer to wait until you get into town, you will find official Ooredoo shops in all three of these cities, along with Sfax and Djerba. Buying SIM cards in the city lets you skip the airport lines, and prices are sometimes slightly cheaper.
Just make sure you walk into an official Ooredoo store or licensed boutique. Avoid informal street vendors selling SIM cards out of a bag, as these often run into registration issues and can get shut off without warning.

3. Buying an Ooredoo eSIM Online
Buying an Ooredoo eSIM online works more like a pre-order:
- Step 1: Request your eSIM through Ooredoo’s official website and select your arrival airport (such as Tunis-Carthage or Djerba-Zarzis).
- Step 2: Complete the identity verification step online.
- Step 3: Receive your QR code via email (or at airport pickup) to scan and activate on your phone.
Because this pre-order setup takes a bit more time than instant setup apps, make sure to request your eSIM a few days before your trip. Alternatively, you can simply pick up a physical SIM card at the airport when you land.
Is Gigago’s Tunisia eSIM a Good Alternative to Ooredoo SIM Cards and eSIMs?
It depends on what you actually want. Gigago’s Tunisia eSIM product runs on Orange’s network, not Ooredoo’s, so it is not a direct substitute if your goal is specifically an Ooredoo connection, for instance to match a local contact who is also on Ooredoo. But if you only need reliable data and want to avoid airport registration lines and everything set up before you land, Gigago’s eSIM is a reasonable choice.

It works the same way any local eSIM would: instant delivery, no phone number, no calls or texts, hotspot enabled, with plans from $2.50 for a 7-day 1GB option up to larger data or unlimited plans for longer stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ooredoo the best network in Tunisia?
Independent testing from September 2025 puts Ooredoo ahead of Orange and Tunisie Telecom on most measured categories, including overall coverage and speed, though Tunisie Telecom is competitive on a couple of newer 5G metrics.
Do I need my passport to buy an Ooredoo SIM?
Yes. Tunisian regulations require every SIM to be registered to a verified identity, and every purchase location, airport kiosk, city store, or otherwise, will ask for it.
Can I buy an Ooredoo SIM at Tunis-Carthage Airport?
Yes, Ooredoo keeps a kiosk in the arrivals hall near baggage claim, alongside Orange. Card payment only; bring your passport.
Conclusion
Ooredoo remains the most reliable option for traveling in Tunisia, offering excellent speeds and affordable prepaid plans. When arriving, ask specifically for the Holiday Sim, register with your passport, and pay via card at the airport or an official city store for immediate connection. Alternatively, if you prefer maximum convenience and want to skip store queues, paperwork, and passport registration entirely, you can purchase a Gigago Tunisia eSIM before you fly for instant internet access the moment your plane touches down.


